University of Illinois System

Commuter Benefit

Eligible employees are encouraged to enroll in a Commuter Benefit Program through Benefit Resource (BRI) which provides pre-tax savings for qualified mass transit expenses through the convenience of payroll deduction. This program furthers the University’s commitment to sustainability and is designed in concert with the State Transportation Benefits Program Act (PA 103-0291).

See Key Program Benefits and BRI’s Chicago Commuter Resources.

The Commuter Benefit mass transit program allows you to set aside money from your paycheck before taxes to use for work-related public transportation expenses up to the monthly amount set by the IRS. For 2024, the maximum IRS limit is $315 per month.

Funds will be loaded on a Beniversal® Prepaid Mastercard® that can be used at approved mass transit points-of-sale, linked to your reloadable mass transit card, or set up for paying in the Ventra app or Ventra autopay.

These funds can be used to pay for work-related commuting when you take mass transit, such as subways, buses, ferries, trains, and vanpools. However, you cannot use a mass transit account to pay for taxis, tolls, or carpools.

Enrollment is open year-round, and your Commuter Benefit mass transit account election is evergreen. Your election will automatically recur each paycheck until you make a change or stop your election. Additionally, funds roll over from month to month and year to year. But remember, you cannot cash out unused funds, and any unused funds left in your account when you terminate employment will be forfeited.

Eligibility

Participation is available for active employees of any University of Illinois System location who have a regular need to use Chicago-area public transportation for work-related purposes, such as commuting between their home and their university work location. While extra help and other short-term employees may participate, there are important considerations.This program requires sufficient pay from which the elected contribution can be deducted on a regular, ongoing basis. Additionally, former employees become ineligible upon leaving the university, and must use up any funds prior to termination of university employment; otherwise, any funds remaining in an account will be forfeited under IRS rules. Student employees are not eligible for this program but may have other mass transit opportunities available to them. 

First Time Enrollment - Begins March 1, 2024

Follow the steps below for initial enrollment, you must enter:
Company Code: uillinois
Zip Code: 60612

  1. Go to BenefitResource.com and click on Login at the top of the page, then Employee. 
  2. On your first time visiting, you must register your account. To register, you will need:
    • Company Code: uillinois
    • Member ID: your UIN
    • Personal Info: First name, last name, date of birth, zip code - you must use 60612 as your first-time login zip code to access the site, then you will change it when you enter your actual address! 
    • Email and/or phone number 
  3. Follow the prompts to select a new Login ID and Password. A confirmation code will be sent to your email or through a text message (messaging rates may apply). 
  4. From Dashboard, click on Enrollment/Changes at the bottom left of the screen.
  5. To make your commuter election, click on the Continue Enrollment button next to the plan for which you wish to enroll or make a change. Follow the prompts to input required information including your address and date of birth, select an election amount, and read and agree to applicable Terms and Conditions. You must add your valid mailing address (including your actual zip code) in this section. This is the address where your BRI Beniversal debit card will be mailed.
  6. You will select a MONTHLY contribution amount that represents the cost of your monthly mass transit expenses. If you are paid biweekly, half of this amount will be deducted from each paycheck. In months when a 3rd biweekly pay occurs, no deductions will be taken from the 3rd paycheck. If you are paid monthly, then the full amount will be deducted. 
  7. Continue to follow the prompts, and a confirmation email will be sent to the email address you provided during account registration. 

Leaving the University

If you leave the university, you will become ineligible to participate in this benefit. You will need to use up any funds prior to termination of your university employment. Account balances will be available via your Beniversal Card through the end of the month following the last month of eligibility. Per IRS regulations, any funds remaining in an account after this will be forfeited.

Program Exclusions

The Commuter Benefit Program can be used only for qualified mass transit expenses. Parking expenses are NOT currently included in this benefit. Parking programs are administered by each university’s Parking Services department. Chicago | Springfield | Urbana-Champaign

Questions?

  • For general customer service questions, login assistance, and account assistance, contact BRI Participant Services at ParticipantServices@BenefitResource.com or by calling 800-473-9595. Representatives available Monday-Friday, 7am-7pm (CST). 
  • For payroll deduction or other questions, create a UPB service ticket: UPB Service Portal